Three house fires Tuesday in Baton Rouge attributed to lightning strikes

Three house fires on Tuesday were attributed to lightning strikes, local fire officials said.

The Baton Rouge Fire Department, in a news release Wednesday, reported that house fires Tuesday afternoon on Maximillian and Sycamore streets were sparked when the homes were struck by lightning.

On Tuesday, the St. George Fire Department reported that lightning struck a home in the Santa Maria subdivision Tuesday afternoon, causing a fire in the attic.

• In the fire at 1212 Maximillian St., firefighters responding to a 3:11 p.m. call found the rear of the house fully engulfed in flames. The fire was under control 14 minutes after the first unit’s arrival. Fire and smoke damage was heavy, estimated at $68,000.

• In the fire at 4033 Sycamore St., firefighters responding to a 3:40 p.m. call found smoke coming from the attic and flames in a portion of the attic. Fire damage was contained to the attic but areas below sustained water and smoke damage. Damage was estimated at $26,000. Firefighters believe the fire began as the result of lightning striking a piece of metal on the roof.

• In the Santa Maria subdivision fire, residents of the 19403 Cape Hart Court home called the Fire Department twice, first investigate the lightning strike, which blew a hole through their roof, and then to report smoke coming from their attic. Firefighters got the fire under control just nine minutes after the first fire truck arrived around 4 p.m. The fire caused about $150,000 in damage. St. George Fire Department spokesman Eldon Ledoux said.